Freedom Forever

Former Douglas County Deputy Nolan Dudik, who served as a school resource officer at Westview High School in Nebraska, is facing federal child sexual abuse material charges. During a November 4 court hearing, an investigator testified that Dudik allegedly took more than 5,000 secret photographs of girls at the high school. He also allegedly used the school’s surveillance camera system to photograph one particular student. Investigators say he used AI to create sexually explicit images and videos depicting more than 200 people, including students at Westview High School, minors involved in the Sheriff’s Office career exploration program, and adults he knew. Authorities also reported finding more than 13,000 child sexual abuse material files stored in an encrypted app on his phone, including approximately 90 files depicting the sexual abuse of infants and toddlers. Dudik was fired from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office in May and arrested on October 29. The allegations raise serious concerns about the access he had to children and school security systems while serving as an officer assigned to protect them.

For more than a decade, a New Jersey preschool aide allegedly sexually abused 4 children in his family. Now, investigators say they have uncovered evidence of additional sexual assaults involving students at the elementary school where he worked. Shaun Stebbins, 44, was arrested in March 2026 following allegations of sexual abuse involving four children between 2014 and 2025, some reportedly as young as 5. During the investigation, authorities searched his electronic devices and allegedly discovered photographs and videos documenting sexual assaults involving preschool students, including incidents during nap time and inside school bathrooms. Stebbins worked at Woodbine Elementary School from 2022 until his arrest and was named the school’s 2024–2025 Paraprofessional of the Year. On October 30, prosecutors announced 61 additional charges, including aggravated sexual assault, manufacturing child sexual abuse material, and endangering the welfare of children. Stebbins remains in custody.

A 7 day undercover operation in Polk County, Florida, resulted in 281 arrests, including 13 Disney employees and 4 Universal employees, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities arrested 31 suspected child sexual predators during the operation, which targeted human trafficking, prostitution, and individuals seeking sexual encounters with minors. Among those arrested was a 24 year old man who had worked as Mickey Mouse at Disney. He allegedly arranged to meet someone he believed was a 13 year old boy for sexual activity. Investigators said he arrived carrying two backpacks filled with diapers, unaware that he had been communicating with an undercover detective. Adam Snyder, 24, who worked in Disney’s Toy Story Land, was also accused of traveling to meet someone he believed was a minor for sex. Investigators reportedly found part of his Disney uniform and employee ID in his vehicle. A youth football coach was also arrested after allegedly exchanging sexually explicit messages with someone he believed was a 14 year old girl and arranging to meet her. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office described the investigation as the largest undercover operation in its history. Source: Polk County Sheriff’s Office / WKMG News 6

Barry Bedenkop of Wyoming, Ohio, was sentenced to 22 to 33.5 years in prison on October 26 after pleading guilty to two counts of rape involving a child. According to court records, the sexual abuse began when the victim was just 5 years old, with allegations spanning at least a decade. Bedenkop also reportedly confined her in a dog kennel or closet as punishment at least once a month for two years and threatened to kill her dogs if she disobeyed him. The investigation began in May 2025 after a concerned neighbor contacted police. Investigators also discovered sexually exploitative images involving the victim and two other children on his computers. Bedenkop initially faced more than 20 charges before accepting a plea deal. A former Wyoming police detective described the case as one of the most horrific he had investigated.

Georgia man has been charged with aggravated sexual battery of a 5 month old baby girl who suffered injuries so severe that police warned she might not survive. According to Gainesville police, the baby's mother noticed her daughter appeared sick. While changing her diaper, she discovered signs of physical trauma and rushed her to Northeast Georgia Medical Center. Doctors discovered severe injuries consistent with physical and sexual abuse, and the infant was transferred to a children's hospital, where she was placed in intensive care in critical condition. Gainesville Police Capt. Kevin Holbrook described the case as one of the most disturbing investigators have encountered in decades, calling it “absolutely gruesome" that a 5 month old baby was in intensive care after suffering sexual trauma. Investigators revealed that the mother asked the suspect for gas money so she could get to the hospital, but he refused. Police said he continued refusing even after being taken into custody. Investigators ultimately stepped in to fill her gas tank so she could remain by her daughter's bedside. Ulices Govanni Aldaco, 19, was arrested on October 9 and charged with aggravated sexual battery, aggravated stalking, and five counts of first-degree cruelty to children. He was reported to be held without bond at the Hall County Jail. The baby's current condition has not been publicly confirmed. Investigators are continuing to examine forensic evidence to determine whether additional charges are warranted.

A Texas school district has agreed to pay $1 million to settle federal allegations that it failed to report a teacher it investigated four separate times over sexual misconduct involving children. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Dallas ISD opened four investigations into former special education teacher Michael Roell, also known as Johnathan Michael, between 2022 and 2024. The DOJ says the district never reported him to the state board that oversees teacher certification. Instead, Roell was allowed to resign and was placed on an internal do not hire list that other school districts could not see. He changed his name and was hired to teach special education at another Texas school, where, according to federal prosecutors, aides reported inappropriate physical and sexual behavior with students, some of it captured on classroom video. He now faces multiple charges related to the alleged abuse of a special education student. The $1 million settlement includes a $145,000 penalty and $855,000 designated for reforms to the district’s reporting procedures. Dallas ISD denies the allegations. This should never have happened. A teacher facing repeated allegations involving children should never be able to move between districts without those concerns being properly reported. Children’s safety demands more than promises of change. It demands action and accountability.

A 32 year old Arizona man has been arrested after investigators say he sexually abused and filmed his 2 adopted sisters for years, beginning when the girls were just 9 years old. Police allege Vicente Ramirez repeatedly recorded videos of the abuse involving his sisters, now 15 and 16. The investigation began on October 14, 2026, when the 16 year old approached a school resource officer to report the abuse. According to detectives, the girls had previously told their mother, 73 year old Dr. Ramona Ramirez, about the abuse, but she allegedly failed to report it to authorities. At the time, Ramona was serving as assistant principal at Isaac Middle School in Phoenix. Both sisters have since been placed in protective custody. Vicente Ramirez faces multiple felony charges, including sexual conduct with a minor and exploitation of a minor. His mother was also arrested and faces charges of child endangerment and failure to report abuse. The courage it takes to speak up about sexual abuse cannot be overstated, especially when a child has already come forward and the abuse is not reported. These sisters deserve recognition for their bravery and to be surrounded with the care, safety, and support they need to heal.

A missing child was found hiding beneath a bathroom sink inside a Florida motel room after investigators tracked down a man accused of trafficking the child across multiple states. Police arrested 43 year-old Terrence Lee in Tallahassee on October 19. Investigators say Lee traveled from South Florida to another state to pick up the child before transporting the minor through Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. Detectives say Lee posted advertisements online seeking to sexually exploit the child for money. Lee now faces multiple felony charges, including trafficking a minor, lewd or lascivious battery, possession of child sexual abuse material, and promoting a sexual performance by a child. A camera mounted on a tow truck helped authorities locate the vehicle, leading officers to the motel where the child was rescued. The investigation remains ongoing, and police say additional arrests are possible.

An Arizona 3rd grade teacher is facing federal charges after investigators linked him to an encrypted group chat used to share child sexual abuse material. According to court documents, Gabriel Chacon posted in the group during parent teacher conferences at Encanto Elementary School in Phoenix. He is also accused of sending 5 videos depicting child sexual abuse to an undercover officer in Australia. Chacon was arrested by the FBI on October 7, but parents say they weren’t informed of the nature of his arrest until a week later. The school district initially told families he had been placed on administrative leave without explaining why. One father told FOX 10 he worries that photos may have been taken of his child and other students. Some parents were invited to meet with school administrators on October 14 to discuss their concerns. The district says law enforcement has found no information connecting any of its students to the alleged crimes and that Chacon was immediately removed from his duties following his arrest. Parents trust schools with their children every single day. Finding out something this serious happened is devastating enough, but having to wait a week for answers only makes it worse. Families deserve transparency, especially when their children’s safety is at stake.

Authorities were called to the home of a New Mexico mother 7 times over 5 years amid concerns about her children’s welfare. Yet years of alleged sexual abuse went undetected. Landy Victoria Carrejo, 37, has been indicted on two child trafficking charges after investigators alleged she repeatedly took her own children to an El Paso businessman in exchange for money. According to court documents, one child reported that the abuse began at just 4 or 5 years old and occurred as often as three to four times a month. Carrejo allegedly received $400–$500 per encounter, sometimes giving the child $50–$100 afterward. The alleged offenses span nearly 9 years, from 2016 through 2024. Reports also indicate that concerns about abuse had been referred to New Mexico authorities as early as 2021. It’s devastating to think about how many chances the system had to protect these children. 7 clear moments where someone could have stepped in and stopped this. We absolutely have to fix these broken safety nets because a missed warning sign isn’t just a paperwork mistake. It leaves a child trapped in a nightmare.

A horrific San Diego cold case has finally come to a close nearly 30 years later. Michael D. Graham, 67, was sentenced to 60 years to life in prison for the 1996 rape and torture of a 6 year old girl in University City, California. Graham broke into the family’s apartment while the young girl was sleeping on the couch, used a chemical substance to render her unconscious, and raped her. The chemical left her with severe burns to her face. Despite years of investigation, he remained unidentified for nearly three decades. The breakthrough came after a separate investigation in Colorado uncovered thousands of images of child sexual abuse material in Graham’s possession. He was arrested and charged with multiple felony offenses involving the sexual exploitation of children. His DNA was then entered into a national database, where it matched evidence collected from the 1996 assault. As his trial approached, Graham pleaded guilty to all six felony counts, admitting to torturing the young girl and causing her severe injuries. For nearly 30 years, Graham escaped justice while the survivor and her family lived with the trauma of what he did. No prison sentence can give those years back. Cases like this are exactly why we do what we do at Freedom Forever. We can never stop fighting for survivors, no matter how much time passes.

32 men have now been charged in connection with the sex trafficking of a girl in Portland, Oregon, who was just 13 years old when the trafficking began and continued for nearly three years. The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office announced more than two dozen additional defendants on Wednesday, bringing the total number charged to 32. Two men were responsible for trafficking, while prosecutors say the other 30 are accused of paying for sex with her. According to the District Attorney’s Office, she was given drugs and subjected to repeated sexual abuse. The two men convicted of trafficking her have already been sentenced to 19 and 15 years in prison. Of the 32 men charged, eight have been convicted, while another eight remain wanted by authorities. Law enforcement is asking for the public’s help locating those who have not yet been arrested. Authorities credited the survivor’s courage in coming forward and helping identify those responsible. The investigation remains ongoing, with additional charges expected. It took tremendous courage for her to come forward after years of sexual abuse. Her decision to speak out has helped authorities identify dozens of men connected to her abuse and trafficking, potentially protecting other children from becoming victims. She deserves justice, and every person responsible for her abuse must be held accountable. No child should ever have to endure what she did.

A missing 14 year old California girl who was allegedly raped and impregnated by her own father has been rescued in Mexico after a month long search. The case began after a newborn baby, known as “Baby Angelita,” was found dead along a Monterey County road on August 1 with signs of traumatic injury. Investigators say the 14 year old gave birth to the baby and confirmed Sergio Galvez Perez is the biological father of both the teen and the newborn. She was 13 when she became pregnant. An AMBER Alert was issued in September as authorities searched for the teen and Galvez Perez. Investigators said he had fled with her and was hiding her from law enforcement. He now faces felony charges for lewd acts with a child, incest and child abuse. After weeks on the run, Galvez Perez was captured in Mexico during a rescue operation involving Mexican law enforcement, the FBI and Monterey County investigators. The 14 year old was safely rescued and remains in the care of authorities.

A Texas woman is being held on a $3 million bond after investigators accused her of repeatedly taking a child to a doctor who sexually abused the victim in exchange for prescription medication. Alicia Evonne Sanchez, 37, is accused of allowing former doctor Kenneth Haygood to sexually assault the child on at least 10 occasions while she remained in the room. According to the arrest affidavit, the child cried and asked for the abuse to stop while Sanchez allegedly held the child’s arm and told them, “This is what doctors do.” Investigators say Haygood later provided Adderall and other prescription medication, which Sanchez allegedly placed into clear bags. Sanchez is charged with continuous sexual assault of a child under 14. Haygood is already serving an 8 year prison sentence after pleading guilty to two sexual assault charges in a separate case.

A Louisiana man facing two child rape charges is set to be elected police chief after his only opponent withdrew from the race. Christopher Paul, 48, was arrested in September and charged with two counts of second degree rape. Authorities allege Paul raped two 13 year old girls in 2005 and 2006. Paul was one of two candidates running for police chief in the Village of Elizabeth. His opponent has since withdrawn from the race, leaving Paul as the only remaining candidate. The Louisiana Secretary of State’s Office said that once the withdrawal is received, Paul will be elected to the position. The two criminal charges against him remain pending.

Jamilee Hunt, 38, of Hudson Falls, New York, was sentenced to life in prison Monday after being convicted of raping and severely abusing her boyfriend’s 11 month old daughter in Summit County, Ohio. She will not be eligible for parole for 55 years. The abuse happened in November 2024 while Hunt, the child’s father, and the infant were living at a Red Roof Inn in Springfield Township. The baby was taken to Akron Children’s Hospital in critical condition with multiple fractures to her ribs, arms and legs, a broken clavicle, a traumatic brain injury, internal bleeding and injuries consistent with sexual assault. Many of the fractures were in various stages of healing, indicating prolonged abuse. A jury convicted Hunt in April on nine felony counts, including rape of a child under 13, five counts of felonious assault and multiple child endangerment charges. The child’s father, Jason Santos, pleaded guilty to charges related to the abuse and was also sentenced to life in prison. The baby survived and, according to the Summit County Prosecutor’s Office, is now safe and continuing to heal with a new guardian.

The FBI rescued a missing 15 year old girl in Michigan after investigators say she was identified in an online advertisement offering sex for money. According to court records, the Southeast Michigan Trafficking and Exploitation Crimes Task Force was alerted by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children to the online ad on September 21. Facial recognition allegedly identified one of the people pictured as the missing girl. Investigators then traced the phone number connected to the listing to Illya Matthew Green Jr. The next day, FBI task force officers surveilling an Inkster residence saw Green arrive with the 15 year old and another woman. Green was taken into custody, and the girl was recovered from inside the residence. Investigators also found opened condom boxes, hotel room keys, $900 in cash and firearms, according to court records. Investigators say the phone number connected to Green had appeared in 138 online sex advertisements dating back to November 2025. Green has been charged with sex trafficking of children and is scheduled to appear in court for a detention hearing on September 28.

A former Michigan daycare worker now faces 39 charges after prosecutors filed 19 new counts against him on September 17. Austin Hapner, 20, worked at Gro Childcare Academy in Grand Rapids and the Children’s Enrichment Center on Grand Valley State University’s Allendale campus. According to court documents, Hapner told investigators he committed criminal sexual conduct against more than 20 children while working at the two centers. Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker said at least 13 alleged victims have been identified in Kent County. The investigation began after Norwegian authorities uncovered material and online chats and provided the evidence to U.S. authorities. Court documents say Hapner participated in a group called “Daycare Dungeon,” where he allegedly described himself as a “pedo” teacher, discussed selecting victims and described blind spots at the daycare. Investigators say he also worked as an in home babysitter through care.com The 19 new charges include nine counts of first degree criminal sexual conduct, eight counts of second degree criminal sexual conduct, aggravated indecent exposure and a sexual delinquency count. Allegations connected to the Children’s Enrichment Center in Ottawa County are being investigated separately.

Rogie Legaspi, 56, a 7th teacher in Baltimore City, allegedly met the victim on social media when the child was just 12 years old. According to Pennsylvania charging documents, the abuse began in June 2024, when the child was 13, and continued through June 2026. Investigators allege Legaspi repeatedly traveled from Baltimore to Pennsylvania to meet the child, recorded sexual encounters, paid him $50 or $100 to act as though he enjoyed them, and brought another man to sexually abuse him at least once. Legaspi was reported missing after he was last seen leaving Hamilton Elementary/Middle School on September 18. Community members circulated missing-person posts before learning he had been arrested in Pennsylvania. Parents who spoke with WBAL-TV said they never expected the allegations. Legaspi faces multiple felony charges, including trafficking individuals, statutory sexual assault, sexual abuse of children, exploitation, and unlawful contact with a minor. His bail was set at $5 million, and he remains in Chester County Prison. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for September 28.

Lorrie Lynn Kennedy, 48, of Oklahoma City, has been charged with commercially sex trafficking, sexually exploiting and neglecting two children who were in her care between 2019 and 2022. According to the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics, one child was between the ages of 4 and 9 during the alleged trafficking, while the other was between 10 and 12. The investigation began in April after Purcell police contacted OBN regarding the possible trafficking of a minor. KFOR reports the information originated from a forensic interview with a minor following a disclosure to a guardian. The Oklahoma Multi-County Grand Jury indicted Kennedy on September 16 on two counts of commercial sex trafficking of a minor, two counts of child exploitation and one count of child neglect. She was arrested the following day and is being held in the Oklahoma County Detention Center on a $250,000 bond. OBN Director Donnie Anderson praised the courage of the victims and witnesses who spoke out. He said investigators spent countless hours reviewing data, conducting forensic interviews with the minors and interviewing potential witnesses.